Jody Hall, left, and Kim Thomas, who opened their Madrona coffee shop and cupcake bakery in December, didn't want to sell coffee and pastries like other coffeehouses. They wanted a neighborhood gathering place that offered something unique. less

Jody Hall, left, and Kim Thomas, who opened their Madrona coffee shop and cupcake bakery in December, didn't want to sell coffee and pastries like other coffeehouses. They wanted a neighborhood gathering place ... more

Bryan Martin works in the shop at Fikse USA Inc. in Kent. The company produces high-end, computer-designed wheels, each adapted to the car owner's detailed specifications.

Bryan Martin works in the shop at Fikse USA Inc. in Kent. The company produces high-end, computer-designed wheels, each adapted to the car owner's detailed specifications.

Photo: Phil H. Webber, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Bryan Martin works in the shop at Fikse USA Inc. in Kent. The... Photo-894246.11499 - seattlepi.com

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Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., celebrates a successful day across the country during an election party at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers in Seattle.

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., celebrates a successful day across the country during an election party at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers in Seattle.

Photo: Joshua Trujillo, Seattlepi.com

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., celebrates a successful day across the... Photo-894247.11499 - seattlepi.com

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In a view from inside Seattle's new central library, Gabe Reisdorff vacuums construction dust from the windows at the top level of the building.

In a view from inside Seattle's new central library, Gabe Reisdorff vacuums construction dust from the windows at the top level of the building.

Photo: Dan DeLong, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

In a view from inside Seattle's new central library, Gabe... Photo-894248.11499 - seattlepi.com

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Pedestrians cross Madison Street at Fourth Avenue, walking past Seattle's new library. The library, now eight months behind schedule and being built at a cost of $165 million, is a honeycomb of windows and high-ceilinged rooms. less

Pedestrians cross Madison Street at Fourth Avenue, walking past Seattle's new library. The library, now eight months behind schedule and being built at a cost of $165 million, is a honeycomb of windows and ... more

Tim Gates of Olympia sports a Dean sticker on the back of his head. Gates later shook hands with Dean after Dean spoke in Tacoma.

Tim Gates of Olympia sports a Dean sticker on the back of his head. Gates later shook hands with Dean after Dean spoke in Tacoma.

Photo: Mike Urban, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Tim Gates of Olympia sports a Dean sticker on the back of his head.... Photo-894255.11499 - seattlepi.com

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Cothron McMillian, principal of High Point Elementary, cheers with others at Schools First headquarters as they hear early results on a $338 million operations levy and a $178 million capital levy for Seattle Public Schools. less

Cothron McMillian, principal of High Point Elementary, cheers with others at Schools First headquarters as they hear early results on a $338 million operations levy and a $178 million capital levy for Seattle ... more

A group of Cubans is sailing toward the Florida Straits on a modified 1959 Buick. The pilots were the same two men who tried to sail a converter 1951 Chevy flatbed truck to the U.S. last year. The U.S Coast Guard was tracking the car. (AP Photo/CBS4, HO) less

A group of Cubans is sailing toward the Florida Straits on a modified 1959 Buick. The pilots were the same two men who tried to sail a converter 1951 Chevy flatbed truck to the U.S. last year. The U.S Coast ... more

Photo: Associated Press

A group of Cubans is sailing toward the Florida Straits on a... Photo-894257.11499 - seattlepi.com

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Supreme Court Justice Faith Ireland, 61, is shown competing at the Women's National Powerlifting Championship in Omaha last weekend. Ireland gives new meaning to the term "bench press," after winning her second national powerlifting championship. The petite, 130-pound judge did a 198-pound squat lift, a 133-pound bench press and a 253-pound deadlift to win the competition. (AP Photo/Courtesy Faith Ireland) less

Supreme Court Justice Faith Ireland, 61, is shown competing at the Women's National Powerlifting Championship in Omaha last weekend. Ireland gives new meaning to the term "bench press," after winning her second ... more